John Michael Toppa III arrested

BREVARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 29-year-old John Michael Toppa III of Melbourne for purchasing illegal narcotics. Toppa was employed by the Brevard/Seminole State Attorney’s Office, who were advised of the arrest and his employment with that office has been terminated.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 29-year-old John Michael Toppa III of Melbourne for purchasing illegal narcotics.

Toppa was employed by the Brevard/Seminole State Attorney’s Office, who were advised of the arrest and his employment with that office has been terminated. Due to his employment as an Assistant State Attorney, the Sheriff’s Office is unable to provide any personal information on the subject for confidentiality reasons.

Toppa was charged with Purchase of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONDUCTS DRUG OPERATION

According to Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, on the evening of March 8, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Special Investigations Unit was conducting an undercover operation in the area of Rockledge, Florida.

“Toppa approached an undercover agent and purchased $200 of Roxicodone,” said Goodyear.

“During a subsequent search of the subject’s vehicle, agents discovered an additional quantity of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.”

Toppa was taken to the Brevard County Jail where he posted a bond of $11,500.00 and was released earlier this morning.

State Attorney Phil Archer has issued the following statement:

On Wednesday March 8, at 6:30 p.m., John Toppa III, 29, of Melbourne was arrested by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Unit after he allegedly purchased Roxicodone pills valued at $200 during an undercover operation. Officers recovered additional suspected drugs from Toppa’s vehicle.

After his arrest, Toppa’s employment with the office was terminated as of 8 a.m. today, Archer said.

“Our office is fully cooperating with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in the continuing investigation into these allegations including an immediate internal audit of all criminal cases assigned to Toppa,” said Archer.

In addition, Archer has requested Governor Scott appoint another State Attorney to handle the prosecution of this case.

“As we have seen in countless cases, the pill epidemic affects all families and all professions. However, as public servants sworn to uphold the rule of law, every member of my office has a responsibility to perform their duties with honesty and integrity. By taking the oath of office, assistant state attorneys are trusted to faithfully represent the values of this office. When that trust is violated there must be an immediate and transparent effort to fully identify the wrong doing, hold those responsible to account, and restore the trust and confidence of the public,” Archer said.

Toppa was assigned to a felony trial division and was hired in 2013.

Because of the nature of the ongoing investigation and request for the appointment of another State Attorney, Archer cautioned that his office not be able to discuss the case in detail and referred future questions to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.